Onakaya

The story

Onakaya Izakaya in Nice brings Tokyo-style Japanese cooking to the Riviera

The kitchen and its founders

At Onakaya in Nice, chef Alexis Luong serves refined Japanese cuisine alongside his partner Alex Couvidat. They opened the venue in 2022 after training at Nobu locations across London and Paris. They designed the space as a straightforward Tokyo tavern, complete with bar seating and Japanese wallpaper that keeps the focus squarely on the food. Their background in high-volume sushi service shows in how quickly they move complex preparations to guests seated along the counter.

Signature plates and techniques

The menu relies on extremely fresh ingredients paired with unexpected local twists. A salade niçoise maki wraps anchovies cured in yuzu, while tuna tataki arrives dressed in a sharp ponzu sauce. Guests frequently order wagyu nigiri or mi-cuit salmon with caramelized skin, which rests beside a creamy yuzu-miso dipping sauce. These Japanese dishes balance traditional knife work with the bright citrus notes familiar to the area.

The room and the counter

Tucked away on a quiet passage near Masséna, the venue maintains a low profile without sacrificing energy. A prominent neon sign marks the entrance, guiding diners into an intimate setting where conversation flows easily over shared plates. Le Fooding noted the spot stands firmly among the city’s best, proving that authentic Japanese dining culture thrives here without needing loud marketing.